Plant a row for the needy

United Christian Ministries of Jackson County is asking gardeners to plant an extra row in their plots this year to help feed the hungry.

Rather than relying on donations of canned food, the organizations has been reaching out to local gardeners to help supplement the diets of residents in need with healthy, homegrown vegetables and fruits. In 2012, the ministry was able to help more than 9,500 Jackson County residents and give away more than 100,00 pounds of food.

The need for food is especially great in the summer when the children who benefit from the free and reduced school lunch program are not in class. The United Christian Ministries is asking that as gardenersâ€™ harvests come in that they bring donations to the organizationâ€™s house at 191 Skyland Drive in Sylva. The hours of operation and any additional information is available by phone.